Georgi Funtarov is the newest member of UC Davis' men's basketball program after recently signing his NLI.

May 8, 2013

DAVIS, Calif. - Georgi Funtarov, a 6-foot-8, 205-pound forward, signed a National Letter of Intent to compete for the UC Davis men's basketball team as announced Wednesday by head coach Jim Les.

Funtarov is the second member of the Aggies' 2013 recruiting class and will join San Diego Player of the Year and All-California selection Brynton Lemar this fall.

"We love Georgi's size, ability to shoot the ball, and his competitive nature," said Les. "His versatility to play inside and outside is a perfect fit for our system."

A native of Sofia, Bulgaria, Funtarov attended prep school this past year at Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, Va., where he averaged 13 points and seven rebounds per game, shot 47 pct. from the floor and 40 pct. from three.

"Georgi's character, academic profile, and work ethic will allow him to achieve success both on and off the floor at UC Davis" said Les.

Considered one of the top players in Vermont's 2013 senior class, Funtarov scored a season-high 23 points and recorded 12 rebounds in his final regular-season game with the Wildcats.

"We take tremendous pride in Georgi's decision to commit to UC Davis... and appreciate all that he has brought to our community," said Jesse Bopp, head coach of the boys' basketball team at Vermont Academy.

"Georgi is a very focused and mature young man," added Ashley Battles, head boys' basketball coach at Bishop Seabury Academy where Funtarov competed throughout the 2011-12 season as an exchange student. "UC Davis is getting a talented and versatile forward who can score the ball from the perimeter, to the block, depending on his matchup."

During his time at Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence, Kan., Funtarov averaged 21 points and nine rebounds per game, shot 43 pct. from long range and received All-State honorable mention from the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association and AP.

A member of Bulgaria's under-16 national team, one that captured the European Championship in 2009, Funtarov also represented his country the following year at the under-18 Championships.

Due to his success in those events, and his time at the Vermont Academy, Funtarov was asked to represent his country once again in this summer's European championship as a member Bulgaria's under-20 team.

"The ability to compete with the Bulgarian national team this summer will be a tremendous benefit to Georgi's development as a player. The coaching and competition are outstanding and will help prepare him for Division I basketball," said Les.

In addition to Funtarov and Lemar, junior transfers Avery Johnson (San Francisco) and Iggy Nujic (UTSA) will also don a UC Davis uniform for the first time this fall after sitting out the 2012-13 season due to NCAA transfer rules.